Head, Uniper Engineering Academy
David Hughes
I started my career as an apprentice in 1983 and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I firmly believe it is the right career choice for many. I chair the East Midlands Ambassador Network to drive forward my passion for apprenticeships in the East Midlands.
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Uniper is an international energy company with approximately 13,000 employees and operations in more than 40 countries. Our portfolio comprises industrial-scale plants, trading activities and service provision where we provide a reliable supply of energy. Uniper has been employing and training both its own and sector apprentices in the UK for many years with over 70 apprentices currently in training.
Early Talent Specialist, Highways England
Vice Chair, East Midlands Apprentices Ambassador Network
Charlotte Potter
I have managed and supported apprenticeship programmes for over 10 years and am passionate about creating real high quality apprenticeships for young people that give them the skills and knowledge they need to pursue and achieve their career aspirations. I have recently become the Vice Chair of EMAAN which gives the opportunity to support the apprenticeship agenda across the East Midlands and help promote the amazing apprenticeships available.
Highways England has a clear ambition to increase the delivery of apprenticeships across its business which is supported by the Executive team. Apprentices are viewed as a real opportunity to increase capability and develop pipelines of skilled people to support future growth. Our apprentices get involved in key projects across England and are seen as key resource in helping the business deliver its strategic plan.
Our Members
Principal Specialist, Toyota Manufacturing
John Byrne
Over 30 years in engineering & training has shown me the importance of continually improving skills and behaviours. It’s vital, for the future prosperity of this country, to engage with students, and apprentices, and help them develop their own skills, drive and understanding to grow with new technologies.
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TMUK are fully committed to developing apprenticeships. In 2010 our Apprenticeship Development Centre opened. In 2014 we started to support local SME by training their apprentices in our facility. Now we support apprentices, from over 20 different companies, at various stages of their 4 year mechatronics apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship Manager, Boots
Hayley White
I find it hugely rewarding and motivating to support others to realise their potential, build their confidence and grow as they develop the skills they need for a rewarding career. The network gives me the opportunity to connect with like-minded employers, as we continue to grow the Apprenticeship Agenda in the East Midlands.
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At Boots UK, we are really passionate about supporting our people to reach their full potential. We have a long heritage of delivering Apprenticeships, supporting people to develop all the key skills they need for their future careers, while providing opportunity to learn and grow in a real-life working environment.
Learning & Development Manager, Supply Chain UK
Sarah Archer
Having grown my career as a learning professional, I am really enthused about the opportunities that the Apprenticeship reforms represent, both as an organisation and nationally! At XPO we are committed to providing high quality vocational learning experiences to those entering our business and for staff evolving their existing skill-sets.
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XPO provide pivotal Supply Chain solutions to the most successful companies in the world via an extremely talented and skilled workforce. Our philosophy is “You Grow, We Grow”. We offer apprenticeships in many fields; from Warehouse Operative and Traffic Office, to Cyber Security and Paralegal to name just a few.
Employee Development and Corporate Support Manager, Derby Homes Ltd
Sophie Bancroft
I started my career as an apprentice so I am really passionate about developing people. I like to ensure that their learning journey is a valuable one and that they can get the most out of it and be the best that they can be.
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Derby Homes see apprentices as a key part of a balanced workforce. Our current cohorts have proved to be very productive and are valued team members. We recognise that our apprenticeship scheme offers a valuable opportunity for young people to enter the world of work.
Founder and Owner, NGi
David Drury
A Management graduate, David has occupied senior roles in both private and public sector organisations both large and small. Throughout all of these roles he has always maintained an interest in training and development believing that Apprenticeships and Vocational learning are critical in driving organisations forward.
NGi (UK) Limited is a research and practical action organisation, we work closely with a range of organisations and companies across Europe and specialise in the area of Apprenticeships, Enterprise and Employability. Our work is focused around ensuring that the skills and aspirations of young people are aligned with the needs and expectations of small and medium sized companies.
Executive Director at Nottingham City Homes - Construction, Repairs & Maintenance Services., Nottingham City Homes
Delroy Beverley
Nottingham City Homes (NCH) is a housing organisation that manages and maintains 26,000 Nottingham council homes. We are committed to providing traineeship and apprenticeship opportunities to attract talent NCH and support individuals to progress their careers. We currently have 34 apprentices working in a variety of roles across the business.
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We have over 900 employees spread across a variety of sites within the city of Nottingham and we take care of all aspects related to housing management, from finding someone a home, to collecting rent, repairing and maintaining properties and we have now even started to build new homes, which is the biggest council house building programme in a generation.
Apprenticeship & Training Coordinator, Tulip Ltd
Samantha Gornall
Since starting my own career through an apprenticeship, and being directly involved with apprenticeships since 2010 there have been many changes along the way. My passion and commitment through being part of EMANN is to help provide young people with the knowledge of their options and hopefully inspire them to take the apprenticeship route.
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We are proud of our commitment to developing apprenticeship opportunities, both within our business and across the wider industry, covering a range of disciplines including Butchery, Engineering, Technical and various support functions in order to attract and develop the next generation of experts into the vibrant and fast-paced UK food industry.
General Manager, CEATA, Canal Engineering Training Academy
Karen Hodgson
I represent Canal Engineering Ltd. I joined the ambassador network to promote apprenticeships as a brilliant way of upskilling any workforce and offering individuals opportunity to progress whilst learning. Despite apprenticeships being around for a long time often they are seen as second choice I hope I can persuade employers and individuals they are definitely not.
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We are a successful manufacturing business specialising in architectural steel work including bespoke helical staircases and stainless steel drainage systems. We set up our own training division for apprentices which has ensured we the skills needed for our future. We are a National Apprenticeship Service Top 100 Apprentice Employer.
Head of Legal Support Service, Browne Jacobson LLP
Sally Swift
I am passionate about developing people and encouraging them to reach their full potential. Apprenticeships are an amazing opportunity to learn and develop skills and knowledge in a working environment. The East Midlands is an exciting place for that journey, with so many businesses pledging their commitment to apprenticeships.
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We are private and public sector legal experts, offering clear opinions and straightforward legal advice to our valued client base. As one of the pioneers of legal apprenticeships in the UK, we are fully committed to investing in new talent and developing flexible routes into the profession for aspiring young people from a variety of backgrounds.
Managing Director, Derry Building Services
Mark Townsend
Having begun my career as an apprentice electrician I am passionate about affording other young people the same opportunities. I am proud of our training programme and strongly believe that this commitment to our workforce has been fundamental in developing DBS into the company it is today.
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DBS are a national M&E Design, Installation and Maintenance Contractor with offices in Newark and Birmingham. We employ over 240 personnel and operate three apprenticeship programmes, two NVQ3 trade apprenticeships, Electro-technical Systems, and Heating and Ventilation, and one office based NVQ3 Business Administration apprenticeship. We are currently training 33 apprentices.
Apprentice Lead, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Michelle Place
I believe that we have an opportunity to invest in the training of our existing staff and to bring in young people to train. I wanted to be involved in the network to share learning and to lend my voice to other voices positive about the opportunities the Levy brings.
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We are a major employer in the East Midlands, we are a public sector body and must have due regard to the 2.3% fair share target. We have invested in additional infrastructure to help us achieve our target and to align this to service need. Our long history of Apprenticeship starts will definitely grow in the future.
Apprenticeship Strategy Manager, Ricoh
Rebecca Jones
EMAAN represents an opportunity to champion one of the greatest shift changes in the UK professional world in recent years. By having the right people championing apprenticeships in the UK, apprenticeships have the opportunity to revolutionise the world of work – becoming the workforce development tool of choice in years to come, whether that be upskilling current employees or recruiting new, younger members of staff to upcoming opportunities.
Having worked for both the public and private sector, particularly with young people, I have an appreciation for how apprenticeships can impact the life of the individual, creating a more diverse, balanced workforce with a variety of life experiences and therefore contributing ideas. I am passionate about apprenticeships and embedding them across our organisation.
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Having gone through the process of becoming an Employer Provider for apprenticeships, Ricoh is committed to being an Apprenticeship training provider of choice. We offer outstanding learning, support provided by our expert facilitators and coaches who are dedicated to working alongside employers to developing the skills, knowledge and behaviours of learners and provide real careers and progression opportunities. We offer bespoke learning and delivery to meet the needs of the employer and the learner which includes;
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On the job supported study
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Experiential Classroom sessions
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Interactive Distance Learning and self-study
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Off the job sessions
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Expert speaker and Leading industry figure workshops & sporting integration
Ricoh work closely with industry bodies and employers to ensure learning is relevant, effective and provides a high return on investment. Ricoh offers an enhanced and cost-effective model, guaranteed to save businesses time and money with a key emphasis in nurturing your new and existing talent.